Car hire fuel policy full – empty scam?

Car hire fuel policy is a scam?

When it comes to hire a car in Spain one of the most common problems for a client is the charges apply for the fuel full/empty policy. We’ve collected the rental policies used by the car rental companies in Spain and the Canary Islands.

The three most used fuel policy in Spain:

1.) The car is supplied with a full tank and must be returned with a full tank of fuel.

2.) The car is supplied with a full tank of fuel which should be paid for upfront when the customer collecting the car. The rental company charge at normal petrol station prices but also add a sevice charge around EUR20-30 and the car should be returned as empty as possible. No refund for unused fuel.

3.) The car is supplied with a different level of fuel and must be returned with the same level. ie. Half full -Half full

These are the common practicing in many major Spanish locations including Malaga Airport, Alicante Airport, Barcelona Airport, Seville Airport, Madrid Airport and Palma (Mallorca) Airport.

The 1. and the 3. options give the best value for the renters because they have to pay what amount of fuel they used. The value of “forced full-empty policy” can be vary by car hire supplier to supplier.

I believe they are in a price compatition and selling rental cars for €4/day as today and they have to make some money somewhere else..

While some companies don’t go too far and adding only a little extra others have no shame and charging €86 for a tank of fuel for a Kia Picanto at Tenerife. (When I writing this 1 liter unloaded petrol cost €1.06 in Tenerife and a Picanto holds 35 liter.

So what can you do about it? 1. Check what the rental policy say about the fuel. If “full-empty” ask them about what they charging for a full tank. If sound too much go for an other car hire firm. 2. calculate the price including the full tank it’s possible it is still a good price. 3. Go with a rental company who offer a full-full policy even for a higher daily rental fee.

To receive the full-full  fuel policy in Spain simply book online with www.Avis.co.uk. Booking with Avis means, that you can choose if you want to return the car’s tank full or empty.

Full – Empty policy provided by: Goldcar, Interrent, Dickmanns, Drivalia
Update: in 2020. full – empty fuel policy is no longer used by car rental companies but new service like easy return, fuel service option and smart return are introduced. For a service fee you can return the car without refueling and you will get a refund for the unused fuel.

If you want to rent with “full-full”  you can go with : Avis.co.uk, Sixt or Autoreisen.es